Directions: This test contains 40 multiple-choice questions. Read each passage, table, and figure carefully. Choose the best answer for each question. Time allowed: 35 minutes.
Passage 1: Ecology Data Representation
A group of students counted three bird species in the same wetland once each year. The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Bird Population in a Wetland
Year
Species A
Species B
Species C
2018
120
80
45
2019
135
78
50
2020
150
74
58
2021
168
70
63
2022
180
68
72
Question 1 - 6
1. Which species showed the greatest increase from 2018 to 2022?
A. Species A
B. Species B
C. Species C
D. All increased equally
2. Species B changed by approximately how many birds from 2018 to 2022?
A. -5
B. -12
C. -20
D. -30
3. In which year was the population of Species C closest to 60?
A. 2018
B. 2019
C. 2020
D. 2021
4. If the trend for Species A continues, the 2023 population would most likely be closest to:
A. 150
B. 170
C. 190
D. 250
5. Which species decreased over the study period?
A. Species A
B. Species B
C. Species C
D. None of the species
6. The data best support which conclusion?
A. All three species declined.
B. The wetland disappeared.
C. Species A expanded in population.
D. Species C became extinct.
Passage 2: Physics Motion
A cart moved along a straight track. Its velocity was measured every 2 seconds, as shown in Table 2. Table 2. Velocity of a Cart
Time (s)
Velocity (m/s)
0
0
2
4
4
8
6
12
8
16
Question 7 - 12
7. The cart's acceleration is closest to:
A. 1 m/s^2
B. 2 m/s^2
C. 4 m/s^2
D. 8 m/s^2
8. The velocity at 5 s would be approximately:
A. 5 m/s
B. 8 m/s
C. 10 m/s
D. 15 m/s
9. A graph of velocity versus time would most likely show:
A. a decreasing straight line
B. a horizontal line
C. an increasing straight line
D. a curve downward
10. At 8 s, the velocity equals:
A. 8 m/s
B. 12 m/s
C. 14 m/s
D. 16 m/s
11. The motion shown in Table 2 is best described as:
A. constant acceleration
B. constant velocity
C. random motion
D. oscillating motion
12. Doubling the acceleration would most directly increase the:
A. mass of the cart
B. rate at which velocity changes
C. time interval measured
D. distance only, not velocity
Passage 3: Biology Research Summary
Researchers measured the activity of an enzyme at different temperatures while keeping enzyme concentration and substrate concentration constant. Table 3. Enzyme Activity at Different Temperatures
Temperature (C)
Enzyme Activity (units)
10
5
20
12
30
20
40
28
50
15
Question 13 - 18
13. Maximum enzyme activity occurred at:
A. 10 C
B. 20 C
C. 40 C
D. 50 C
14. Enzyme activity decreased after:
A. 20 C
B. 30 C
C. 40 C
D. 50 C
15. The best explanation for the decline in activity at 50 C is:
A. enzyme denaturation
B. freezing of the enzyme
C. lack of substrate in all trials
D. no enzyme was present
16. At 30 C, the enzyme activity was:
A. 5 units
B. 12 units
C. 20 units
D. 28 units
17. Which variable was manipulated by the researchers?
A. enzyme activity
B. temperature
C. enzyme type
D. measurement unit
18. The data suggest the optimum temperature is near:
A. 10 C
B. 25 C
C. 40 C
D. 60 C
Passage 4: Chemistry Research Summary
A reaction was performed with different amounts of catalyst. The reaction rate was measured in each trial. Table 4. Reaction Rate and Catalyst Amount
Catalyst Added (g)
Reaction Rate
0
2
1
5
2
8
3
10
4
10
Question 19 - 24
19. The reaction rate increased the most between which catalyst amounts?
A. 0 g and 1 g
B. 1 g and 2 g
C. 2 g and 3 g
D. 3 g and 4 g
20. Beyond 3 g of catalyst, the reaction rate:
A. decreases
B. remains about the same
C. doubles
D. becomes zero
21. The highest measured reaction rate was:
A. 5
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
22. The independent variable in this experiment was:
A. reaction rate
B. catalyst amount
C. temperature
D. time
23. The data indicate saturation near:
A. 0 g
B. 1 g
C. 3 g
D. 10 g
24. At 2 g of catalyst, the reaction rate equals:
A. 2
B. 5
C. 8
D. 10
Passage 5: Astronomy Data Representation
Average surface temperatures for four planets are shown in Table 5. Table 5. Average Planet Temperatures
Planet
Average Temperature (C)
Mercury
167
Venus
464
Earth
15
Mars
-65
Question 25 - 29
25. Which planet listed is the hottest?
A. Mercury
B. Venus
C. Earth
D. Mars
26. Which planet listed is the coldest?
A. Mercury
B. Venus
C. Earth
D. Mars
27. Earth is approximately how many degrees warmer than Mars?
A. 50 C
B. 80 C
C. 100 C
D. 150 C
28. Venus exceeds Mercury in average temperature by about:
A. 100 C
B. 200 C
C. 297 C
D. 500 C
29. The data suggest that proximity to the Sun alone:
A. fully explains planetary temperature
B. never affects planetary temperature
C. is not the only factor affecting temperature
D. cannot be studied using data
Passage 6: Environmental Science
Water samples were collected from three streams before and after rainfall. Nitrate concentration was measured in parts per million (ppm). Table 6. Stream Nitrate Concentrations
Stream
Initial Nitrate (ppm)
After Rainfall Nitrate (ppm)
X
3
5
Y
8
11
Z
5
7
Question 30 - 34
30. Which stream had the highest nitrate concentration after rainfall?
A. Stream X
B. Stream Y
C. Stream Z
D. All streams were equal
31. The increase in Stream X was:
A. 1 ppm
B. 2 ppm
C. 3 ppm
D. 5 ppm
32. Stream Y changed by:
A. 2 ppm
B. 3 ppm
C. 4 ppm
D. 5 ppm
33. Rainfall appears to:
A. lower nitrate concentrations
B. increase nitrate concentrations
C. have no effect on nitrate concentrations
D. eliminate all nitrates
34. Which stream had the lowest initial nitrate concentration?
A. Stream X
B. Stream Y
C. Stream Z
D. None of the streams
Passage 7: Conflicting Viewpoints
Two scientists discuss the best strategy for reducing transportation-related emissions.
Scientist 1: Electric vehicles provide the greatest long-term reduction in emissions because they reduce fuel combustion by individual drivers.
Scientist 2: Public transportation provides greater overall reductions because many people share one system, reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
Question 35 - 40
35. Both scientists agree that:
A. emissions should be reduced
B. electric vehicles are ineffective
C. public transportation increases pollution
D. no action is needed
36. Scientist 1 would most likely support:
A. more electric vehicle adoption
B. fewer electric vehicles
C. eliminating cars immediately
D. more coal use
37. Scientist 2 emphasizes:
A. individual vehicles
B. shared transportation
C. aviation
D. agriculture
38. Which evidence would most support Scientist 1?
A. data showing emission reductions per electric-vehicle driver
B. data showing only an increase in public-transit ridership
C. data on fuel taxes only
D. data on population growth only
39. Which evidence would most support Scientist 2?
A. data showing one bus can replace many car trips
B. data showing larger batteries store more energy